Permanent Visas

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 475)

This visa is a three-year provisional visa for skilled workers who are unable to meet the criteria for a Skilled - Independent visa. You will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two years and worked at least 12 months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia. You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency. 

This visa is for you if you are outside Australia, or you are a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444).

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.  On 1 July 2011 the points test underwent significant changes, and the pass mark for this visa is now 65 points. If you score less than 65 points, your application will be refused.

The applicant must also:

• be under 50 years of age;
• nominate and hold a skilled assessment for an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL);
• have a competent level of English (minimum score of 6 in each of the four IELTS test components;
• have been employed for 12 out of the last 24 months in an occupation listed on the SOL; OR
• have been awarded a qualification in the last six months following at least two years of study in Australia. The qualification must be closely related to the nominated occupation.

For full details of the current skilled migration points test, please click here.